www.iFourWinns.com

I've used the products that supposedly removes the oxidation, however, I just can't seem to get that gelcoat shine back. Do I need to keep putting coats of wax on? I'm getting frustrated doing all this work and not seeing the light, I mean shine.

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

You need to probably buff with a random orbital machine and some "grittier" compounds and then wax. I bought one of these machines recently but have not had time to use it yet. It was not cheap though I have about $400 CAD into my setup with the machine and extra buffing pads etc...
I also bought some Collinite chemical de-oxidizer that you apply by hand but again can't give you a review yet. I will try and do a sample area tomorrow and post some results.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

How do I know how much to buff? Will I start rubbing the gel coat out? Is the gel coat that much harder that it won't be rubbed out?

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

Getting the gelcoat back to a shine is usually a three step process, one is to remove the oxidation, then polish it to bring back the shine and finally sealing it with a wax to keep it in good shape. There are websites that describe the process, a good one is properboatcare.com or something like that. And you will need to either learn how to use a rotary buffer or have it done...a random orbit is not going to cut it for that job....Makita makes a machine that can do both...I got one but have not had a chance to try it yet....maybe mid summer when I have more time.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

A similiar question... I recently bought our boat and have yet to wax it... How do you go about waxing the areas that are non-slip surfaces? If you use an orbital buffer, does the wax/polish come out of the gritty areas of the non-slip surface?

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

From what I understand, you don't wax those areas because it would become too slippery when wet. Using A good boat soap and a brush to keep it clean would be sufficient.

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

Alex
I understand your frustration! I have also spent a full day this weekend trying to get rid of oxidistation from my 1998 238 Vista.
I used a rubbing compound recomended by a 'bodywork specialist' friend of mine, followed by a coat of wax and buffed it up using an electric buffer. I am not happy with the results, although it is better than it was, I think mine was just too far gone when I bought it, and I will just keep on top of it and learn to live with it!

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Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300

Do not use the same wax for the non-skid as you do for the rest of the boat. On the non skid use Woody Wax.

http://www.woody-wax.com/woody_wax.php

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks I'll give the woody way a try. Looks like exactly what I was looking for.

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

Thats not what I thought "woody wax" would be for